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ADCOM HC/E II cartridge mothballed 25 years ago.

I just started getting serious again with vinyl. I have a Dual CS5000 with an ADCOM HC/E II cartridge that I took out of mothballs. It was a purchase from a little know speaker manufacturer in NW Ohio. Spectrum Loudspeaker bought it for a tradeshow in the early-80s. I made use of it for a while and then moved on to CDs. The cartridge was an upgrade over the OEM. Spectrum was extremely particular about using this cartridge for the tradeshow.

My questions concern this combo: How likely are the cartridge and stylus to be in good working condition? Can I expect problematic degradation over the past 25 years of no use? And if they are likely to be in fine working condition should I change the headshell to the VTA pitch adjustment headshell?

I do not know what this cartridge requires for setup.

128x128scroydon
scroydon's avatar
scroydon OP
25 posts
 

Is my concern warranted?

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

The cartridge rubber suspension may still be fine! Try it out by playing a record at the recommended tracking force (~2 grams). If it doesn't bottom out it is fine. No need then to buy a new cartridge.

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Setup is just the usual procedures for lateral tracking and vertical azimuth.

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Keep the stylus clean! I use the AT liquid stylus cleaner and brush.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,370 posts
 

I revived my AT440ml cartridge I had kept unused for over 20 years. Had no more than 20 hrs on it.

I thought the rubber would be hard, but after I thoroughly cleaned the whole tip/cantilever/rubber suspension and let it break itself in playing a few unimportant LPs.

It sounds surprisingly good. compared to my shure V15Vxmr body/Jico Stylus SAS/boron/brush, it competes with it same as when new back in late 90's.

Next, I put a drop of rubber renew on the suspension that I use for Reel to Reel capstan wheels, belts ...

 

 

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